The result keeps Wirral in 8th place in the league table as they look ahead to a challenging away fixture against 2nd placed Huddersfield, who are chasing leaders Anselmians.

The kick-off was delayed until 2.30 pm due to traffic on the M6 causing the Derby coach to arrive late. Before the game, there was a minute's applause in memory of two recently departed club members: former captain CHRIS LYNCH and FRED HOWARD, the ex-Waterloo player, international referee, and referee development coach.

The home side was seeking to build on their previous win against 4th placed Stockport against a Derby side currently 12th in the league, whom Wirral had defeated earlier in the season.

Team News

Wirral saw a few changes from the Stockport game. TOM PARRY returned to the club from Caldy for the rest of the season before moving to Canada, starting in the back row, with CONNOR MOORE moving to the second team. RHYS JAMES returned to full-back, and WILL MORRIS returned to the wing. Captain NICK HEARN celebrated his 100th game for Wirral alongside Parry in the back row. The bench included DAN CARROL, GRUFF ROBERTS, and HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE. TOM COLE was sidelined with a knee injury.

Match Summary

Despite the recent weather, the pitch was in good condition with little breeze. Derby started strongly, but Wirral's defence held firm. After a disallowed Wirral try for being held up, Derby took the lead on 23 minutes with a penalty after having a try of their own ruled as held up (0-3). Wirral lost hooker MATT RINGER to a back injury, replaced by DAN CARROL.

Derby conceded a series of penalties, allowing Wirral to gain territory. Following a disallowed try for Wirral, a quick tap penalty by ZANE PRETORIUS led to NICK HEARN forcing his way over the line for the first try (5-3, 31 mins), though the wide conversion was missed. Continued pressure on the Derby line resulted in Sam Tebbs being sin-binned for repeated offside. From the resulting penalty, the ball was moved wide for RHYS JAMES to score in the corner (10-3, 37 mins), though he narrowly missed the conversion.

Half-Time: Wirral 10 - 3 Derby

At the start of the second half, GRUFF ROBERTS replaced HARRY HAWLEY, with JIM LEVENE moving into the second row.

Wirral began the second half assertively. In the 47th minute, after the forwards made good ground, the ball went from a scrum to MARK WILLIAMS, who executed a clever feint before passing right to WILL MORRIS, who scored under the posts. RHYS JAMES successfully converted (17-3, 47 mins).

The next ten minutes saw Derby reduce the deficit with two central penalties (17-9, 60 mins). However, Wirral's keen tackling stifled Derby's attacking efforts.

Wirral secured the bonus point try after sustained forward pressure, with returning TOM PARRY scoring about 10m from the corner flag. The conversion by RHYS JAMES not only extended the lead but also brought up James's 100th point of the season (24-9). HARRY CROPPER-JOYCE then came on for ADAM DON at hooker, with DAN CARROL shifting back to prop.

A kick ahead and good chase put Wirral deep in the Derby 20m area. From the lineout, a short throw led to a drive, with the ball passed inside to DAN CARROL, who forced his way over the line. RHYS JAMES converted from the touchline (31-9, 70 mins). Derby responded quickly after picking up a dropped Wirral ball to score a converted try (31-14, 72 mins).

Wirral finished strongly. Pressure in the Derby 20m area led to a lineout win, and after the pack drove forward, HAYDEN LONG collected the ball to cross the line. RHYS JAMES converted to end the game 38-14.